Results! Fourth Annual Student & Amateur Gingerbread House Decorating Competition
PASTRY CHICAGO’S 4th ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION A FUN EVENT FOR ALL
Westfield Old Orchard Mall hosts an Entertaining Contest for Students and Amateurs
Chicago, Illinois (January 8, 2009) – Students of pastry and culinary arts as well as amateur bakers from the Chicagoland area gathered at the Food Court in the Westfield Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, Illinois on Saturday, December 12 for Pastry Chicago’s fourth annual gingerbread house competition. Sponsors, such as KitchenAid, donated prizes for this year’s event, and competitors received complimentary gift cards from Westfield Old Orchard Mall.
This year, students and amateurs created gingerbread houses following a “Green or Eco-Friendly” theme. Volunteering as judges this year were Nicole Bujewski of Le Flour; Jenny Lewis, Chef Instructor at Lexington College; Gloria Hafer, ASM Chef Instructor; Laura Vaughn, Chef Instructor at Washburne Culinary Institute; and Deborah Mattes, Senior General Manager of Westfield Old Orchard Mall.
“The competitors really impressed us with their creativity in representing the eco-friendly theme,” said ASM Chef Instructor, Gloria Hafer. “We saw sugar solar panels, and rolled fondant recycle bins and windmills. Everyone did a great job.”
During the judging portion of the event, contestants and their friends and family enjoyed refreshments provided by the mall, as well as the Food Court offerings, all accompanied by old-fashioned caroling by a quartet of singers. Once the scores were tallied, Assistant Director of Pastry Chicago, Renée Bohus read the winning names.
Fifth place was awarded to Kaitlin Todd; fourth place went to Alejandro Prado; Bethany Marquis took third place; Saundra Jones won second place; and first place was awarded to Paula Kule. Also receiving “honorable mention” recognition was Erick Carachure.
“We saw some great work in this competition,” said Franco Pacini, Director of Pastry Chicago. “The students and amateur bakers who entered this competition showed careful craftsmanship, creativity, and good representation of the 'green'' theme.”
Pastry Chicago will host the Professional Chocolate Showpiece & Candy Valentine's Day Showcase at Whole Foods, South Loop, Chicago on January 23, 2010. More details are available at www.pastrychicago.org.
Rules for 2009 Pastry Chicago 4th Annual Student
Gingerbread Competition:
- Must be a current High School or Secondary (College) level Culinary Pastry & Baking student or an amateur baker/food enthusiast to participate.
- Must present a decorated gingerbread house at the competition.
- The house must not be smaller than 10”W X 14”L X 10”H and cannot exceed 12”W X 18”L X 18”H.
The board that the house is displayed on must not exceed 18” x 26”. - All decorations must be edible with the exception of interior lighting and display board.
- Theme is “Green/Eco-friendly Home”: The decorated structure(s) must reflect the theme of the competition.
You will have from 11:00 am – 12 noon to set up your house. Space is limited; no working on the premises is allowed. - No baking is done on premises.
- Each entry must be the sole work of the entrant.
- All houses entered into this competition will become the property of the Westfield Old Orchard Mall for holiday display.
- All entries must submitted for judging by 12:00 noon (begin to arrive at 11:00am).
- Winners will be announced at 1:00 pm.
- Pastry Chicago and Westfield Old Orchard Mall are not
responsible for any items left behind at the end of this event.
Judging Criteria:
70% Decoration
25% Originality
5% Punctuality and Professionalism
Please contact Lindsay Koriath with any questions:
info@pastrychicago.org, 312.726.2419 ext.208.
